Protective handheld electronics case with integrated extension device

ABSTRACT

A protective handheld electronics case with integrated extension device, which may safely and securely extend an encased personal electronics device via a telescoping rod assembly. The telescoping rod assembly extends the personal electronics device beyond arms reach and locks the device at a specific recording angle set by the user. This function is specifically helpful when the camera is oriented on the user for self portraits. This function allows the user to ability to take self portraits or video without the undesirable need to fully extend the user&#39;s arms. Therefore, in general, a user is enabled to take self portraits with a greater field of view.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application,Ser. No. 61/891,664, filed on Oct. 16, 2013, and entitled PROTECTIVEHANDHELD ELECTRONICS CASE WITH INTEGRATED EXTENSION DEVICE, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Some embodiments of the invention relate to the field of handheldelectronics protection.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many known handheld electronics protective cases. Most aremade from polymers, silicone gels, or other similar materials thatabsorb impact when the device is dropped thereby protecting the device.Some are hybrid models that combine multiple materials both soft andhard as well as creative geometry to create additional protection.

Some cases provide additional function beyond traditional protection.For instance, adding a loop to hold a stylus or adding a magnetic coverthat serves both as a stand and headphone holder as found in Logitech'sTidyTilt® Case.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention add function to thisprotection by enhancing the capability of electronic devices thatcapture photos and video. For example so embodiments allow for theextension of both the case and the encased electronic device so as toincrease the electronic device's camera field of view, ultimatelyenabling the user to take personal photos without the needing to fullyextend their arm. Additionally, it may in some embodiments offer theuser a greater field of view when taking self-directed portraits and theability to capture photos and video from unique perspectives beyond thenormal reach of the user's arms. Some embodiments comprise a protectivecase with a self-contained telescoping rod. The telescoping rod isstrong enough that when fully extended, it will support the full weightof the electronic device and case. This allows the user to also extendthe device beyond arm's length. When fully extended, the user can holdonto the encased device via the end of the telescoping rod therebyenabling the user to significantly increase the device's built in photoand/or video recording field of view when taking self photos and videos.In addition to enhancing the user's ability to take self portraits andvideos, the extension permits unique photo and video perspectivesachievable beyond the length of one's arms. For example taking a bird'seye photo of a crowd as the device is extended vertically beyond theuser's extended arm. Some embodiments also provide the extension featurein addition to protective abilities, by protecting the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing an embodiment of a case withretracted telescoping rod.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the case with extended telescopingrod.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled view, showing some main components of the case.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of housing's cylindrical rod cavity.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the single housing center balancedalternative embodiment fully closed.

FIG. 6 is a disassembled view of the single housing center balancedembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially assembled view of the single housing centerbalanced embodiment with an extended telescoping rod.

FIG. 8 is a fully assembled view of the single housing center balancedembodiment with an extended telescoping rod and connected handle

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 1 device function cavities 2 cameralens cavity 3 upper housing 4 lower housing 5 telescoping rod 6 gearedrod base 7 housing gear teeth 8 pivot joint 9 rod channel 11 stowedtelescoping rod 12 housing latch 13 rod tip 14 telescoping rod assembly15 extended rod assembly 16 single housing main body 17 telescoping rodhandle 18 rod tip v2 19 alignment channels 20 rod cap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The protective case is made up of three main components, the upperhousing 3, the lower housing 4, the telescoping rod assembly as shown inFIG. 3. The telescoping rod is connected to the geared rod base via apin and cotter at its pivot joint 8 as shown in FIG. 2. The rod base 6consists of a short cylinder with geared teeth as shown in FIG. 2. Theupper housing 3 and lower housing 4 are designed to form fit theelectronic device. When combined and secured via the housing latch 12,the combined case possesses all cavities 1 and 2 necessary to allow thefree use of electronic device buttons, cameras, and external sensorswhile still fully encompassing the device in a protective layer ofimpact absorbing material. The electronic device slides into theform-fitting upper housing 3 as shown in FIG. 3. Also in FIG. 3, thetelescoping assembly 14 comprising the telescoping rods 5, the gearedbase 6, and the tip 13 is then placed base first into a cylindricalchannel 9 bored into the side of the upper housing 3 shown in FIG. 3 andcross-section in FIG. 4. To prevent the cylindrical tubes of thetelescoping rods from slipping axially against each other when extended,the tubes are compressed slightly to form an oval cross section. Lastly,the lower housing 4 aligns and connects to the upper housing 3 via andthe housing latch 12.

During connection of the lower housing 4 to the upper housing 3, the topof the telescoping rod assembly 14 aligns with and passes straightthrough the cylindrical channel bored in the lower housing 4. The fullystowed telescoping rod assembly 14, aligns the rod tip 13 flush to theoutside of the lower housing 4 as shown in FIG. 1. When desired, theuser may freely extend the telescoping rod assembly external to thelower housing 4 as shown in FIG. 2 by grasping the rod tip 6 via itsgroove and pulling the telescoping rod 5 out from the lower housing 4until the connected geared base 6, intersects and locks with the lowerhousing gear receiving teeth 7 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The lowerhousing receiving gear 7, prevents the telescoping rod assembly 14 fromfully exiting the device/case assembly. Therefore, as the user continuesto pull on the telescoping assembly 14, the force of the pull acts toextend the stowed telescoping rod assembly 14 shown in FIG. 3. Theinterconnection of the rod's geared teeth and the housing's receivinggear teeth 7 serve two purposes. First, it prevents the telescoping rodfrom unintentionally leaving the assembled device/case assembly, andsecondly, it acts as a means to secure the device housing assembly at adesired specific angle depending on the rotational orientation of therod gear's teeth 6 as it enters the housing gear's receiving teeth 7.This allows the user to lock the desired angle of the device's camerawith respect to the object of the picture or video. The housing latch 12prevents the lower housing from accidentally disconnecting due togravity, external forces, or forces incurred as the user pulls the rod'sbase 6 against the lower housing as needed to extend the telescoping rod5. Once the gear teeth are interlocked, then the user bends the extendedtelescoping rod 15 at the pivot joint 8 in order to orient the device tothe desired angle and this angle is secured by the interlocked gearteeth. The act of bending the extended telescoping rod 15 at the pivotjoint 8 additionally prevents the accidental reentry of the rod assemblyinto the case housing while in use. Additional drop prevention safetymay be added to invention by securing a lanyard to the rod tip such thatthe user can connect the opposite end of secured lanyard to their wristand thereby tether the entire assembly to their person via the lanyard.FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 display a second variation of the invention. Thisvariation shows a single body design 16 that allows the telescoping rodassembly 14 to exit the case at the devices horizontal center of mass.This center exit innovation alleviates potential torque induced by theweight of the electronic device from creating an axial rotational loadon the extended telescoping rod thereby making the extended case anddevice more comfortable for the user to hold. FIG. 7 shows the fullyextended telescoping rod with tip v2 18 connected to the single bodydesign 16. Additionally, the telescoping rod handle 17 connects to therod tip v2 18 to function as an optional handle when the device isextended FIG. 8. When the telescoping rod is stored in the body'shousing FIG. 5, the telescoping rod handle securely connects to thesingle body design 16 using the complimentary alignment channels on both19 FIGS. 6 and 8. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 6, the rod cap 20 serves asthe cover for the entry point for the telescoping rod with rod tip v2.Telescoping rod with rod tip v2 functions the same as the telescopingrod complete with the lower housing gear receiver 7 as shown in FIG. 6.

Having described my invention, I claim:
 1. A protective handheld casefor an electronic device, the case comprising: a protective housinghaving a channel adapted to substantially contain the electronic device;a telescopic rod movable between a first retracted position at leastpartially disposed inside the case and a second extended positionextending at least partially outside the case.
 2. A case according toclaim 1, wherein in the first position the telescopic rod is completelydisposed inside the case with an end that is substantially flush with aportion of the surrounding area of the edge of the channel.
 3. A caseaccording to claim 2, wherein the end is a tip having a shapecomplimentary to the the surrounding area of the edge of the channel. 4.A case according to claim 1, wherein in the second position a portion ofthe rod is contained in the channel.
 5. A case according to claim 1,wherein the housing comprises a first housing component and a secondhousing component, the first and second components being detachable fromeach other to allow insertion of the electronic device, and attachableto each other to retain and surround the electronic device.
 6. A caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the telescoping rod is connected to one ofthe first or second housing components by a geared rod base.
 7. A caseaccording to claim 6, wherein the rod is connected to the geared rodbase via a pin and cotter, forming a pivot joint.
 8. A case according toclaim 1, wherein the telescopic rod includes tubes having an oval crosssection.
 9. A case according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a firstcomponent with a channel that accepts a portion of the rod.
 10. A caseaccording to claim 9, further comprising a rod tip at one end of therod, wherein the rod tip secures the rod to the first component of thehousing.
 11. A case according to claim 10, wherein the rod has a pivotjoint connecting the rod tip to the remainder of the rod.
 12. A caseaccording to claim 11, wherein the rod has a handle disposed at theother end of the rod from the rod tip.
 13. A case according to claim 12,wherein the handle is movable with the rod to fit substantially flushwith the housing.
 14. A case according to claim 12, wherein the housinghas a first alignment feature, and the handle has a second alignmentfeature adapted to releasably engage with the first alignment feature.15. A case according to claim 1, wherein the housing has at least oneaperture adapted to be positioned by a camera of the electronic device.16. A case according to claim 1, wherein the housing is at leastpartially constructed of impact absorbing material.
 17. A case accordingto claim 1, wherein the housing forms and internal receptacle for theelectronic device and the internal receptacle has a complimentary formfitting profile to an outer surface of the electronic device.
 18. A caseaccording to claim 1, further comprising a lanyard attached to one ofthe housing and/or the rod.
 19. A protective handheld electronics casewith integrated extension device that allows the user the ability to:fully support and extend the protected device beyond the user's normalreach and thereby significantly increase the encased electronic's camerafield of view when recording self directed pictures or video or enablethe user to extend the camera vertically or horizontally to achievegreater perspective than can be achieved with arms alone; securely lockthe device at the user's desired angle for media recording; provideprotection for both the electronic device and extension assembly;provide protection against accidentally dropping the extended device;reduce or prevent axial rotation of the extended electronic device; andcompletely store the extension device internal to the protectivehousing.
 20. A protective handheld electronics case with integratedextension device as recited in claim 1, comprising: a thin shellprotective case customizable to form fit electronics based on model; anembedded telescoping assembly that extends externally to the said case,but fully stores internal to the housing comprising: telescoping rodswith rotational axial prevention; a male geared base used to lockangular position; a pin joint allowing for 180 degree range of motion;an optional removable tip for said assembly with optional lanyard; andstructural strength enough to hold the weight of the case and electronichandheld device; an integrated channel inside the thin shell protectivehousing that stores, protects, and conceals the compressed telescopingassembly; a male gear on the base of the telescoping assembly or similarangular locking mechanism; a female receiving gear or similar angularlocking mechanism inside of said integrated channel to enable locking ofangular position; and a center balanced rod exit design that reducesaxial rotation of the extended electronic device.